Neb. jobless rate unchanged at 4.2 percent in Aug.

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Nebraska's 4.2 percent unemployment rate in August was unchanged from the month before, according to a preliminary estimate released Friday by state officials.

Unemployment in Nebraska was about half the national rate, which remained at 9.1 percent in August.

North Dakota's unemployment rate of 3.5 percent was again the lowest in the nation. Nebraska came next, followed by South Dakota at 4.7 percent.

The August 2010 figure for Nebraska was 4.5 percent, the Nebraska Labor Department said.

Three industry sectors continued to show job growth during August in Nebraska, according to the labor report. Professional and business services added 635 jobs; financial activities added 83 jobs and manufacturing added eight jobs.

The unemployment rate in Omaha, Nebraska's largest city, dropped to 4.6 percent in August from 4.8 percent in July. A year ago, the August figure was 4.8 percent.

In Lincoln, the state's second-largest city, the rate dropped to 3.6 percent from 3.9 percent in July. A year ago, the August rate was 3.9 percent, the Labor Department said.

State officials have said the unemployment rates for Omaha and Lincoln are not seasonally adjusted, however, and cannot be compared to the state unemployment rate.

Here are the preliminary area labor market unemployment rates for August, followed by the revised July rates: